Hearing aid coverage and laws in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. New Hampshire requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. New Hampshire gives buyers a 30-day trial period on hearing aids.
- 13 sources cited
- Updated October 14, 2026
Researched by the DrAuditory editorial team from official state and federal sources. How we research
New Hampshire at a glance
| Rule | New Hampshire |
|---|---|
| Medicaid, adults | Covers adults. Average loss of 35 dB or more; two aids need prior authorization and a school, work or blindness reason. [1] |
| Private insurance mandate | Adults and children. At least $1,500 per aid every 60 months. [2] |
| Trial period | 30 days. Hearing aids must come with a 30-day written money-back guarantee. If you return them in the same condition, the dealer or audiologist may keep a 5% cancellation fee. [3] |
| Free phone equipment | New Hampshire Telecommunications Equipment Assistance Program (NH-TEAP) [4] |
| Licensing | New Hampshire Governing Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Care Providers (OPLC) [5] |
Does New Hampshire Medicaid cover hearing aids?
New Hampshire Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Average loss of 35 dB or more; two aids need prior authorization and a school, work or blindness reason. [1]
Children and young adults under 21 are a different case. Medicaid's EPSDT benefit requires states to cover the care they need, which includes hearing aids. [6]
If you get Medicaid through a managed care plan, ask the plan how hearing aid approvals work and which providers it uses. Our state-by-state Medicaid guide explains how the benefit usually works.
Does New Hampshire require insurance to cover hearing aids?
New Hampshire requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. Who's covered: all ages. At least $1,500 per aid every 60 months. [2]
The rule applies to plans issued or renewed from 2011. Your benefit starts when your plan renews.
State mandates only reach fully insured plans, the kind bought from an insurance company. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA law instead, so a state mandate may not apply to your job's plan. [8] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.
New Hampshire hearing aid trial period and return rights
Hearing aids must come with a 30-day written money-back guarantee. If you return them in the same condition, the dealer or audiologist may keep a 5% cancellation fee. [3]
Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. [9] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. [10] Whatever the law, put the trial length, fees and warranty on the purchase agreement.
Over-the-counter hearing aids follow federal rules: the maker must print its return policy on the package, or say it has none. [11]
Free amplified and captioned phones in New Hampshire
New Hampshire Telecommunications Equipment Assistance Program (NH-TEAP). Helps New Hampshire residents who struggle with a standard phone get specialized equipment. Full cost is covered for income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. [4]
These programs are separate from hearing aid coverage. They can help even if you already wear hearing aids.
Who licenses hearing care providers in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Governing Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Care Providers (OPLC): audiologists and hearing aid dispensers [5]
Use the board to check that a provider's license is current, or to file a complaint about a sale or a refund.
Other ways to pay for hearing aids in New Hampshire
- Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. [12] Some Medicare Advantage plans add a hearing benefit, usually through a network. See Medicare and hearing aids and how Medicare Advantage hearing networks work.
- VA. Eligible veterans can get hearing aids through VA health care. [13] See hearing aids through the VA.
- Lower-cost options. OTC hearing aids, warehouse clubs, nonprofit programs and university clinics. See free and low-cost hearing aids and what hearing aids cost.
- Estimate your cost. The hearing aid cost estimator combines these New Hampshire rules with typical prices.
Find hearing care in New Hampshire
The directory lists 72 hearing care providers in New Hampshire, with 41 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, New Hampshire has 3.8 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #41 of 51.
Cities with the most listings: Concord, Nashua, Salem, Manchester, Dover, Portsmouth, West Lebanon, Exeter. Or browse every New Hampshire hearing clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Does New Hampshire Medicaid pay for hearing aids for adults?
New Hampshire Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Average loss of 35 dB or more; two aids need prior authorization and a school, work or blindness reason. Children under 21 are covered in every state through Medicaid's EPSDT benefit.
Does health insurance have to cover hearing aids in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for adults. At least $1,500 per aid every 60 months. State mandates apply to fully insured plans, not self-funded employer plans.
Can I return hearing aids in New Hampshire?
Hearing aids must come with a 30-day written money-back guarantee. If you return them in the same condition, the dealer or audiologist may keep a 5% cancellation fee.
Can I get a free amplified or captioned phone in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire's program is New Hampshire Telecommunications Equipment Assistance Program (NH-TEAP). Helps New Hampshire residents who struggle with a standard phone get specialized equipment. Full cost is covered for income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
Sources
- 1.He-W 567, Hearing Aid Services New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, 2018
- 2.RSA 415:6-p, Coverage for hearing aids New Hampshire General Court
- 3.New Hampshire RSA 326-F:14, Return of Hearing Aid; Cancellation Fee New Hampshire General Court
- 4.New Hampshire Telecommunications Equipment Assistance Program (NH-TEAP) New Hampshire Telecommunications Equipment Assistance Program (NH-TEAP)
- 5.New Hampshire Governing Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Hearing Care Providers (OPLC) State of New Hampshire
- 6.Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Medicaid.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
- 7.Where can people get help with Medicaid & CHIP? (state agency contacts) Medicaid.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
- 8.29 U.S. Code 1144 - Other laws Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code)
- 9.Best Hearing Aid Buying Guide Consumer Reports, 2026
- 10.Hearing Aids National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 2022
- 11.OTC Hearing Aids: What You Should Know U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- 12.Hearing aids Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
- 13.Hearing Aids U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service